Tuesday, January 17, 2012

When can I start swimming with my baby?

Form the babies point of view there nothing stopping you form starting swimming
classes as soon as you want provided; the water is warm enough.

There is
normally no need to wait until your baby is immunized or anything like that
before taking your star swimming but if you have any doubt check with your
doctor.

In my experience the earlier a child starts swimming lessons the sooner they
develop a healthy respect for the water. Combine that with the possibility of
your child learning to float or even sort of swim and you have some great fun
and safety going on with the exercise of swimming.

Having said that, for the mother, it’s best that you wait until six weeks after your
baby's birth before you go swimming; this is for your sake more that the
babies. If you go swimming sooner there is a chance you may pick up an
infection. If you’ve had a caesarean section or stitches your health visitor or
GP may recommend that you wait longer than six weeks.

There is however no prohibition on your husband or other significant person tacking
your baby swimming before that: but do remember the water has to be warm enough
for your little one (about 32 to 34 deg C). Always remember that babies only
have small bodies and the loss of vital heat is therefore more rapid than in
those older.

The other thing to consider is what your expectations are of swimming classes with
your child. A very young baby (one that is not rolling or moving about or even
sitting up by themselves) may be taught how to float but that is about it and
there is no guarantee that they will do that in an emergency.

So if you are looking to drown proof your baby there is no such thing and there are
no Ian Thorps at 6 months old.

The bonding experience in a warm aquatic environment is like no other and the
respect that your new born will gain for the water, thus making them safer
around it, is priceless.